Sport Coat Guide

One of the essential elements of creating a visually interesting outfit is to use layers. Oftentimes, a sport coat can provide an additional layer that takes an outfit from "normal" to "great." For example, an outfit of dress wool trousers, a button down shirt and a sweater vest is quite nice on its own. But the addition of a sport coat on top is a finishing touch that adds visual interest and richness. As they are are available in a variety of fabrics and textures, from neutral navy to textured tweed and herringbone, it can be as much of a statement as you would like. Plus, they are an awesome at structuring your figure and camouflaging any stomach issues.

Now when picking out a sport coat, it is wise to remember that you will probably need to have it altered by a professional tailor to get the best fit. However, there are some measurements you should have in order to know what size coat you need to select. The first measurement is your basic coat size. You can find this number by taking your chest measurement (the widest part of your chest, right under your armpits), then subtracting 7 inches. Next, you can determine whether you need a short, regular, or long length sport coat by considering your height. If you are between 5'5" and 5'7", you will need a short jacket; 5'8" and 5'10" is regular; and between 5'11" and 6'2" is long. Once you have these basic measurements, you can consider more personal stylistic touches, such as whether you would prefer a more formal and traditional double-breasted coat, or a more casual single-breasted coat.

If you thinking of purchasing a sport coat as a gift for a man this holiday season, I think this is an excellent idea. Sport coats make super presents for men because every guy can use at least one in his wardrobe. If you would like to purchase a sport coat made of a nice, luxurious fabric, look for a wool weave called "super-wool." It is the most durable, and has a high thread count between 120 and 150. If the man you are buying for likes to make a fashion statement, you may wish to pick out a sport coat in a bold fabric, such as velvet. Or, if he lives in a warm climate, he may prefer cotton.

Patterned sport coats are an excellent choice for the winter of 2011-2012, and would make a terrific Christmas gift. Harris Tweed has made a huge comeback lately due to the popularity of Doctor Who. Harris Tweed is an interesting fabric in that it technically is both a pattern and a fabric. Its fabric is tweed, and its pattern is a mixture of twill and herringbone.

Two more patterns to consider for this season are Glen Plaid and Damier Check. While both are trendy, neither pattern is "new." They are both classics that have recently experienced comebacks, meaning that they will have staying power within a wardrobe. Look for Damier Check (a pattern that was invented by Louis Vuitton) in dark, masculine colors such as navy, dark gray and black. If you choose a Glen Plaid, you may notice that the most popular type is the Prince of Wales Check, which is a combination of red, cream, black, and gray. I prefer Glen Plaid in best in gray tones, which makes it very versatile.

A sport coat is an essential piece of clothing for any man's wardrobe because, quite simply, there are few occasions for which a sport coat is not appropriate. A meeting, a day at the office, a networking event, a party-- for all of these events, you can outfit yourself with a nice sport coat and instantly look great. For those occasions when super casual won't cut it, but you don't need to wear a suit, the sport coat is the middle ground. It instantly conveys the right mix of leisure and fashion while still appearing gentlemanly and respectable.